Turning Managers into Leaders: The Art of Mentoring

Fostering stable, reliable and knowledgeable leaders is one of today's top priorities in many organizations. Leadership is generally considered the ability to influence others. There is a widespread, generally accepted belief that mentoring should be an integral factor within the leadership development paradigm to recognize and train protégés in the art of exerting influence over others. The mentoring experience may also have a significant impact on manager development, given the operational, regulatory, and economic constraints placed on managers in today's fast-paced, technology driven environment. Understanding how mentors acquire the requisite knowledge, wisdom and communication skills that allow them to positively influence others to engage, build and maintain leadership skills is necessary to a successful mentoring relationship. There is a plethora of mentoring models and programs available today. Understanding the needs, wants, desires and expectations of the various organizational stakeholders will aid in deciding which mentoring program may be right for any two individuals seeking to engage in the mentoring process.